Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
(SCOTTSBURG) - One of the keys to determining whether or not a person who is released from jail re-offends, often-times depends on where they go when they get out.
Having places for them to get re-introduced to society is the key to success for many.
Women, who have spent time in jail, will have that now in Washington County when The Good Samaritan Inn "Women of the Well" opens. The Inn is located on Ind. 56 near Scottsburg.
The property was donated by the Southern Baptist Association.
The program's facilitator, Jules McDill, says several volunteers worked putting the finishing touches on the facility, which will welcome its first resident in less than a week.
There are many needs for "Women of the Well" as the program gets up and running.
McDill said they would love to have a small floating deck for prayer time outside the facility. They also have a need for a small van to get residents of the facility to places around town.
But McDill said more than material things, the facility needs people in the community to get involved.
"We want people to come," she said. "Come study the bible with us, or teach a class or some sort of skill to these women. A lot of times, their troubles date back to childhood and they missed out on a lot of their youth, so coming to teach them crafts or some sort of skill would mean a lot."
Like the "Good Samaritan Inn", "Women of the Well" is a discipleship program.
Residents must take part in bible studies and aren't allowed to work for their first 30 days upon being released.
The men's facility has many success stories in the short time that it has been open and McDill said she knows the women's facility will to.
Bible studies are held five days a week 8-9:30 a.m. at the Good Samaritan Inn, which is located at the old home of the Salem Assembly of God on Highway 56 going toward Paoli. There are also Bible Studies on Tuesdays and Thursday from 6-7:45 a.m.
"They are great studies and it's OK for people to come anytime," McDill said. "They are not the kind of studies that you need to have attended them all."
The program works because people are referred to the facilities. McDill or Sean Misamore, who directs the men's program, meet with the potential resident and determine whether or not the program is right for them.
Anyone who would like to volunteer or refer a person to the facilities are encouraged to call the GSI at 812-570-0082.
McDill said she could also be reached via her cell phone at 812-620-2281. For more more information about the program visit www.thegoodsamaritaninn.org
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